70040 research outputs found
Sort by
Strengthening Indigenous parents’ co-leadership through culturally responsive home-school partnerships: a practical implementation framework
Get PDFThe momentum of the decolonising education movement has led many scholars to rethink the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples and generate catalysts for change. Using the decolonisation lens, the aim of this phenomenological study was to investigate the barriers, outcomes, and enablers of effective collaboration between West Papuan parents and teachers. Results suggested that although they encountered many obstacles, both groups of participants still believed in the possibility of establishing sustainable, culturally responsive home-school partnerships. In addition, when teachers embraced West Papuan culture in home-school partnerships, it increased their professional skills, parents’ agency, and self-efficacy, which in turn, enhanced children’s learning outcomes and strengthened children’s Indigenous identity. We offer a culturally responsive home-school partnership framework, developed from the bottom-up narratives of teachers and parents. The framework centres on three key strategies: culturally responsive communication, decolonising pedagogical practices, and emancipatory support
Noise disturbance increases negative emotions and unsafe behaviour among construction workers
No full textConstruction works and activities generate a high level of noise, which can have a negative impact on workers. Prolonged exposure to noise disturbance can result in psychological changes, such as reduced awareness, and physical changes, such as hearing impairment, in workers, which affect their behaviour. Coupled with negative emotions, noise disturbance can magnify workers’ unsafe behaviour. Adopting a case study research design, this research collected noise level data from an apartment project in Surabaya, Indonesia, and used a questionnaire survey to assess the level of noise disturbance, and workers’ negative emotions and unsafe behaviour in the project. The research found that the noise levels, particularly for structural works, were generally beyond the advisable threshold specified in the government’s regulation. As a result, workers who performed structural works experienced higher noise disturbance and more negative emotions, and tended to display more unsafe behaviour than workers who performed finishing works. The research also found that noise disturbance increases negative emotions and unsafe behaviour among construction workers. In addition, the result indicates that negative emotions can mediate the relationship between noise disturbance and unsafe behaviour. Managing noise levels, therefore, can be a strategy worth implementing to improve health and safety in construction projects. Furthermore, requiring workers to wear a hearing protection device is not adequate for construction noise management. Involving mitigation strategies higher in the hierarchy of risk controls is needed for this purpose
Preventing infectious diseases among people who inject drugs
No full textPeople who inject drugs are at elevated risk of infectious diseases. To date, research among this population has focused on bloodborne viruses and other injecting-related diseases. The work presented in this thesis aimed to improve our understanding of vaccination coverage and the prevalence and detection of non-bloodborne sexually transmitted infection (STIs) among people who inject drugs.
This thesis includes: (1) a systematic review of vaccination coverage among people who inject drugs; (2) a latent class analysis of COVID-19 vaccination attitudes among people in Australia who inject drugs; (3) a cross-sectional study of COVID-19 vaccine uptake one year after the previous study; (4) a systematic review of STI prevalence and testing coverage among people who inject drugs; (5) a retrospective cohort study of STI incidence and the impact of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) on STI detection among people prescribed OAT in New South Wales (NSW), Australia; and (6) a cross-sectional study of cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake among people in Australia who inject drugs.
Globally, vaccination coverage estimates among people who inject drugs were scarce; where data were available, they indicated suboptimal coverage. In Australia, high levels of hesitance and resistance towards COVID-19 vaccination were observed, driven by distrust in the government and perceived low risk of infection. Ultimately, COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people in Australia who inject drugs was higher than expected but was lower than in the general population. Evidence about STI prevalence and testing coverage among people who inject drugs is also sparse. The global prevalence of active syphilis among people who inject drugs was estimated to be six times higher than the general population. In NSW, incidence of STI notifications among people with a history of OAT increased over the past two decades. STI notifications were elevated during the first 28 days in OAT compared to time out of treatment. In Australia, cervical cancer screening uptake among people who inject drugs was similar compared to the general population, while HPV vaccination uptake was lower.
Collectively, these findings underscore the need to consider vaccination and STI screening as an essential component of healthcare for people who inject drugs. Settings this population already intersects with, such as OAT programs, are well placed to offer these services
Hierarchical Bayesian Longitudinal Methods for Tree Growth Modeling
No full textModels of tree growth primarily use longitudinal size survey data. However, such models have not always incorporated the longitudinal structure. Instead, previous methods have typically relied on point estimates of growth rates based on pairwise size differences, which loses the autocorrelation connections among a sequence of observations from the same survey unit. The models built on pairwise difference data are typically species averages and do not account for individual variation. Furthermore, measurement error for sizes carries over to the point estimates of growth which has been a persistent issue for modelling.
In this thesis I introduce a new statistical method -- the hierarchical Bayesian longitudinal model -- which leverages the auto-correlated structure of repeat size surveys to parameterise growth functions for each individual in a sample. By fitting individual growth functions I am able to estimate individual size trajectories that are not accessible from species-average models. I also separate individual variation within a species from measurement error, which are conflated in species average models. The hierarchical structure incorporating species-level parameter distributions allows for individuals to share information on parameters and allows for better estimation with some individuals that have very little observed growth.
This thesis addresses the statistical and computational work involved in building and testing the new method. I use tropical tree data as the core application, which informs the choice of growth function and the way that the model is tested. First I introduce the new method, give a case study using a non-linear differential equation called the Canham model applied to real world data, and use some simulations to test parameter estimation. Second I describe a novel source of non-identifiability that arises from numerical integration error when an affine first order differential equation is the chosen function, and gives work-arounds. Next I detail an R package I built to implement the method with two additional growth functions -- constant and von Bertalanffy -- and example datasets for each. Finally I use the R package to apply the new method to a collection of tropical tree species as a demonstration of how the method works and how separation of individual variation from measurement error can lead to novel information about growth behaviour
Inquiry into housing policy and disaster: better coordinating actors, responses and data
No full textOrganisational Approaches to Outcomes Measurement: A Study of Australian Child Welfare Nonprofits
No full textThis thesis presents new research examining how Australian child welfare nonprofits experience outcome measurement. Using a sequential mixed methods approach, the study captured views on outcome measurement among informants in nonprofits and peak bodies. Findings show the state of practice in the nonprofit organisations at the centre of this study, how organisations experienced funder imperatives, and the ways organisations incorporated outcomes measurement into their operations and strategy.
The study found evidence of strong commitment to outcomes measurement despite barriers. Most organisations held positive views, seeing outcomes measurement as an organisational journey, rather than a mere compliance activity. Commitment to outcomes measurement was often supported by realistic organisational change efforts, including new roles. restructuring, and capability building.
The thesis contributes an analytical framework of outcomes maturity that can assist understanding of outcomes measurement practice in organisations. This framework, the ‘CALUT spectrum’, identified five sequential levels of engagement for mapping outcomes maturity. The CALUT levels are: capacity to measure outcomes, adoption of outcomes measurement, outcomes literacy, use of outcomes reports, and transparency. Most organisations in the study showed prerequisite capacity to adopt outcomes measurement, but fewer demonstrated literacy, use of outcomes data, and transparency.
A second analytical construct was also developed, based on a two-dimensional matrix: internal and external drivers; and reactive and proactive responses to funder imperatives. Through this matrix, four organisational approaches to outcomes measurement were identified. These were: ‘Sector Leaders’ - organisations that were internally driven and proactive; ‘Early Adopters’ - proactive organisations with predominantly external drivers ; ‘Engaged Compliers’ - with strong internal motivations and reactive responses to funder imperatives; and ‘Status Quo’ organisations, that were externally driven and reactive.
Findings add to the outcomes measurement and nonprofit literature by providing new insights into organisational approaches based on the perspectives of those directly involved. It shows that rather than experiencing outcome measurement as universally coercive or constraining, nonprofits can advance their outcomes measurement practice in empowering ways that enhance their mission, and support organisational autonomy
Using Mixed Reality Simulations to Prepare Preservice Teachers for Inclusive Classroom Management
No full textMixed reality simulations such as TeachLivE and Mursion have been increasingly utilised to prepare
teachers for inclusive classrooms. The use of mixed reality simulations, which combine elements of both
virtual and augmented reality, offers immersive and interactive experiences that can enhance teacher
training in various ways. These simulations provide preservice teachers with realistic and safe spaces to
practise inclusive communication, pedagogy, and classroom management. Each scenario can be tailored to
provide practice in specific skills and support preservice teachers in meeting the Australian Institute for
Teaching and School Leadership standards. This is especially helpful in view of today’s inclusive classes, as
avatars in the simulations are neurodiverse, representing students of various abilities and personalities. The
authors define mixed reality simulations, describe various ways that simulations have been used to support
students in special and inclusive education, and describe a case study of simulations used for parent–
teacher meetings and for inclusive classroom management in an Australian university. Lastly, they suggest
directions for future research and practice
Development of smart optical sensing based on field and surface effects
No full textThis thesis is about optical sensing and how optics and photonics plays a diverse role in sensing. It compares two platform approaches: one is bulk in the form of portable optical imaging using smartphones and the other is waveguide in the form of optical fibres. Each has advantages and disadvantages that are suitable for different kinds of applications. Each is extremely broad in scope – in this thesis, the work concentres on demonstrating novel surface metrology using contact angle measurement science with smartphone imaging, and two kinds of specific optical fibre technologies involving electromagnetic properties namely novel Faraday-based magnetic devices and sensors and electrical-based surface film plasmon sensors. In all cases, material interactions are critical, from the atomic interfacial properties of contact angle measurement to the evanescent field excitations of surface electrical plasmons in metals and finally the bulk interaction of light with electronic spin within Faraday materials. The outcomes of exploiting these phenomena are developing rapid and mass field-based plant diagnostics of environmental pollution and other properties, novel optical attenuators that outperform commercial products, compact magnetic field sensors, rotation sensing gyrometer, and further exploring the potential of optical fibre sensors, chemical optical reaction dynamic process sensors, and large-volume chemical solution double-layer sensors
Assessment of thermal performance and smoke toxicity of lightweight building polymers
No full textThe use of lightweight polymers in the building industry is rapidly increasing due to their flexibility and thermal insulation properties. However, their inherent flammability and the potential release of large amounts of toxic gases during combustion present significant safety concerns. While many studies focus primarily on thermal performance, smoke inhalation is responsible for the majority of fire-related fatalities. This dissertation investigates the smoke toxicity and thermal characteristics of lightweight building polymers through a comprehensive fire performance evaluation approach. It also examines the effectiveness of intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) coatings on polymers, the impact of weathering on their flame retardancy, and proposes an improved experimental framework for combustion gas analysis.
Fire hazard assessments of various lightweight building polymers, based on three key parameters, flashover propensity, total heat release, and smoke toxicity, identified polyurethane foam (PUF) as having the highest flashover risk and toxic hazard potential. Consequently, PUF was selected as the substrate for evaluating IFR coatings with mineral fillers. The results demonstrated that the flammability of coated samples was significantly reduced compared to neat PUF, with two IFR coatings incorporating aluminium trihydrate (ATH) completely preventing ignition. However, high levels of smoke production, particularly CO, were observed under smouldering conditions, underscoring the need to consider toxicological impacts across different combustion regimes. Furthermore, weathered samples exhibited a marked reduction in flame retardancy compared to non-weathered counterparts, attributed to surface degradation from photo-oxidation. To strengthen the evaluation of smoke toxicity, thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) was introduced, enabling mechanistic insights into polymer degradation pathways and the identification of a broader spectrum of gaseous species, including NH₃, SO₂, and VOCs.
An improved APP–EG–Mel based IFR coating was subsequently developed, demonstrating enhanced flame retardancy and a significant reduction in smoke toxicity. Notably, cone calorimetry combined with an expanded FTIR spectral library confirmed reduced acetonitrile emissions in coated PUF. Together, these advancements establish a systematic and more comprehensive framework for assessing the fire hazards of lightweight polymers, offering valuable insights for the development of safer and more sustainable building materials